Salem could not get anything going in the first half and only had around 30 yards of offense. They had opportunities one-on-one in the passing game but weren't able to connect. They did a great job holding Lake Taylor in the redzone several times to force FGs and come away with an interception and led 6-0 going into halftime.
The second half was a completely different game. Chauncey Logan (A player I thought LT would have trouble matching up with) got loose for Salem's first completion of the game and then Zavione Wood immediately ripped off a long TD run. Lake Taylor answered on a drive where they faced a 3rd and 34 and completed a jump ball in double coverage and then connected on another jump ball (perfectly executed) for a TD to retake the lead, 12-6. Salem immediately answered on a perfect deep ball from QB DaRon Wilson to Logan. Salem was then able to stop LT on two possessions in a row and two more long TD runs from Zavione Wood to put Salem up 28-12 and really seal the game. LT was able to have a late drive to get one more TD on some amazing throws and catches and then convert on a two-point conversion to make the score 28-0 but then Salem recovered an onside kick to end the game.
Great coaching adjustments at halftime and a lot of players really stood out in this one. The Salem defense was tremendous all game. One of the biggest factors in the game was the Salem DTs Stacy Williams and Cameron Martindale (both Juniors) completely dominating inside and stopping the dive game for LT. They were absolutely unstoppable. The defensive ends Waller and Massey were tremendous as well and all three LBs (Wood, Collins and Williams) were extremely physical and made a ton of plays. The McDonald brothers were great at coming out against the run and made some plays in coverage, Shawn Collins covered well and Chauncey Logan came in some on defense in the second half and broke up a few passes at key times.
Offensively Salem scored on every possession in the second half, besides their final one where they ran out the clock. The OL and TEs in the second half were TREMENDOUS against a front that can be impossible to run on at times. Wood and Leftwich both had a ton of success and Wood finished with 20 carries for 223 yards and three TDs... basically all in the second half. Sophomore QB DaRon Wilson played a VERY GOOD game. Only a few pass attempts in the first half and Salem just missed on them but he made a few crucial throws that really turned the game around early in the third quarter, both to Chauncey Logan.
Some of the biggest keys to the game for Salem were the domination by the DTs, which is something I felt like they were going to do coming in. Logan being a came-changer on both sides of the ball. Wilson not making mistakes and making a few huge throws. Zavione Wood on both sides of the ball and the way everyone blocked offensively, especially the OL.
Lake Taylor showed a ton of fight and heart in this game until the final whistle. Jeff Foster is an absolutely incredible player at QB and the LT receivers caught more 50/50 balls in this game than I have EVER SEEN in a high school football game. They were all just incredible at attacking the ball and making contested catches all over the field and are going to be a NIGHTMARE the next couple of years in 3A, assuming they have a good QB to replace Foster.
The second half was a completely different game. Chauncey Logan (A player I thought LT would have trouble matching up with) got loose for Salem's first completion of the game and then Zavione Wood immediately ripped off a long TD run. Lake Taylor answered on a drive where they faced a 3rd and 34 and completed a jump ball in double coverage and then connected on another jump ball (perfectly executed) for a TD to retake the lead, 12-6. Salem immediately answered on a perfect deep ball from QB DaRon Wilson to Logan. Salem was then able to stop LT on two possessions in a row and two more long TD runs from Zavione Wood to put Salem up 28-12 and really seal the game. LT was able to have a late drive to get one more TD on some amazing throws and catches and then convert on a two-point conversion to make the score 28-0 but then Salem recovered an onside kick to end the game.
Great coaching adjustments at halftime and a lot of players really stood out in this one. The Salem defense was tremendous all game. One of the biggest factors in the game was the Salem DTs Stacy Williams and Cameron Martindale (both Juniors) completely dominating inside and stopping the dive game for LT. They were absolutely unstoppable. The defensive ends Waller and Massey were tremendous as well and all three LBs (Wood, Collins and Williams) were extremely physical and made a ton of plays. The McDonald brothers were great at coming out against the run and made some plays in coverage, Shawn Collins covered well and Chauncey Logan came in some on defense in the second half and broke up a few passes at key times.
Offensively Salem scored on every possession in the second half, besides their final one where they ran out the clock. The OL and TEs in the second half were TREMENDOUS against a front that can be impossible to run on at times. Wood and Leftwich both had a ton of success and Wood finished with 20 carries for 223 yards and three TDs... basically all in the second half. Sophomore QB DaRon Wilson played a VERY GOOD game. Only a few pass attempts in the first half and Salem just missed on them but he made a few crucial throws that really turned the game around early in the third quarter, both to Chauncey Logan.
Some of the biggest keys to the game for Salem were the domination by the DTs, which is something I felt like they were going to do coming in. Logan being a came-changer on both sides of the ball. Wilson not making mistakes and making a few huge throws. Zavione Wood on both sides of the ball and the way everyone blocked offensively, especially the OL.
Lake Taylor showed a ton of fight and heart in this game until the final whistle. Jeff Foster is an absolutely incredible player at QB and the LT receivers caught more 50/50 balls in this game than I have EVER SEEN in a high school football game. They were all just incredible at attacking the ball and making contested catches all over the field and are going to be a NIGHTMARE the next couple of years in 3A, assuming they have a good QB to replace Foster.
